NCJ Number
69626
Journal
Police Journal (South Australia) Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: (November 1979) Pages: 30-31,33-35,37,38,40
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The modern policeman's job is very difficult because of conflicting demands made by community services and crime fighting duties.
Abstract
Crime continues to rise in Australia as well as in larger western countries such as the U.S. Although the police are often blamed for high crime rates, they face an unfair burden and cannot be expected to solve the social conditions stimulating crime. The ordinary policemen's job is very demanding. Policemen must demonstrate the skills of a lawyer, psychologist, social worker, and priest; also, they must observe their primary functions of keeping order and protecting the public. Although many policemen are most satisfied with crime fighting duties, such duties take up only 20 percent of their time. Further, since better, larger police forces do not reduce crime much, police must concentrate on community relations and get to know the people in their jurisdictions. However, the diversity of modern communities, the breakdown in the family and community loyalty, and increasing isolation of police frustrate police-community rapport. However, crime prevention is the duty of citizens as well as police and should be a joint effort. In addition, police effectiveness is extremely hard to measure, although it differs from efficiency; however, both should be sought, effectiveness is more important then efficiency (especially where the latter frustrates good police-community relations). Some recommendations for crime prevention include better use of the media and the fostering of better relations among the elements of the criminal justice system.